Panel-fastening device

ABSTRACT

A panel fastening device has a baseplate and a latch with a hook emerging on one side of the baseplate, oriented towards this baseplate, and this latch is longitudinally movable on the referred baseplate, and they are manufactured on a non-ferromagnetic material. The latch has a magnet or a magnetic part, so that such magnet permits the movement of the latch towards a closing position on the baseplate when the panel is set in the assembling position and the magnet approaches the metal framework for supporting roof or wall panels that carry the closure device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED U.S. APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

NAMES OF PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO AN APPENDIX SUBMITTED ON COMPACT DISC

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention refers to a device for panel fastening, and more specifically, an automatic lock system aimed for fastening of coating panels on frameworks of ferromagnetic materials, such as iron or steel.

2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 37 CFR 1.98

In the assembly of partition panels on frameworks and roof panels, usually panels or baseplates feature a means to permit a stable fastening in the back side, which feature the possibility of being removed from the panel in order to permit the access. These panels and plates are called accessible.

For instance, in the case of partition wall panels, the panel features a series of hooks which allows them to be hung from the framework, so that gravity keeps the panel in its place. The main problem is that these panels can move accidentally, mainly due to clearance and gaps, and therefore, they are not steadily fastened to the framework, and in some occasions they can be unwillingly removed, thus causing an accident.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The panel fastening device, which is the object of this invention, has some technical features with the aim of permitting an ideal use as a means for panel and plate fastening on metal frameworks, so that panels or plates conceal the supporting frameworks, improving the fastening of the panels and plates and making it easier to be subsequently removed with a simple magnetic tool.

According to the invention, the device comprises a baseplate and a latch with a hook protruding from one side of the baseplate, and this latch can be longitudinally moved along the referred baseplate. Both parts, the baseplate and the latch, are manufactured of a non-ferromagnetic material, and the referred latch features a magnet or a magnetic part. So, this magnet moves the latch towards a closing position on the baseplate when the panel to be fastened approaches a ferromagnetic element, such as a metal framework for supporting roof or wall panels. In this way, if a panel features several devices which are properly set around its perimeter of the inside part, the panel is automatically fastened when it approaches the framework, as all the latches move and all the hooks are caught on the framework. This fastening is steady and resistant in all directions, and it permits to easily disassemble the panel with a magnetic tool or key, which deactivates the referred devices. Therefore, as the magnetic key passes on the device, its magnetic attraction forces the latch into the opening position, and removes the book from the framework.

In one embodiment, the baseplate features a displacement lock of the latch in its free movement, thus avoiding an accidental disassemble of both parties.

In one embodiment, the latch is set up in a laminar bodywork, longitudinally die-cut and folded, with some gaps in the inside part to hold the magnet between them, and a folded part which sets up the emerging hook is located at the end of the latch.

The baseplate features some holes in its corners, in order to fasten the device with screws or other means to the panel or plate to be fastened.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to complement the description which is currently being made, and with the aim of providing an easier understanding of the features of the invention, a set of drawings has been added to these specifications where, with an illustrative and non-limiting purpose, the following items have been represented:

FIG. 1 shows a section view of the device.

FIG. 2 shows an elevation view of the device.

FIG. 3 shows a ground view of the device when closed.

FIG. 4 shows a section detail of the assembly of a panel on a framework with the device of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Preferred Embodiment of the Invention

As can be seen in the referred figures, the device comprises a baseplate (1) and a latch (2) with a hook (21) emerging on one side of the baseplate (1), and this latch (2) is longitudinally movable on the referred baseplate (1). The baseplate (1) and the latch (2), are manufactured on a non-ferromagnetic material, in this case aluminium, and the latch (2) comprises a magnet (3) or a magnetic part, so that such magnet (3) permits the movement of the latch (2) towards a closing position on an element of a ferromagnetic metal framework (4) when the panel is set in the assembling position and the magnet approaches the metal framework.

The latch (2) is manufactured in a rectangular laminar bodywork die-cut and folded, with some gaps (22) in the inside part to hold the magnet (3), and a folded part which sets up the emerging hook (21).

On the other hand, the baseplate (1), longitudinally defines a guiding means (11) of the latch (2) and features a displacement lock (12) of the latch (2) preventing its free movement. The baseplate (1) features some holes (13) in its corners, in order to fasten the device with screws or other means to the panel (5), and the latch (2) is held in a notch (51) of the referred panel (5) on which it is fastened, and the free emerging hook (21) until it is assembled on the framework (4).

Once the nature of the invention has been sufficiently described, as well as an example of a preferred embodiment, for the required purposes it is stated that the materials, shape, size and disposition of the elements described might be modified, as long as it does not imply an alteration of the essential features of the invention which are claimed below. 

1. A panel fastening device, characterized by the fact that it comprises a baseplate and a latch with a hook emerging on one side of the baseplate, oriented towards this baseplate, and this latch is longitudinally movable on the referred baseplate, and by the fact that they are manufactured on a non-ferromagnetic material, and by the fact that the latch comprises a magnet or a magnetic part, so that such magnet permits the movement of the latch towards a closing position on the baseplate when the panel is set in the assembling position and the magnet approaches the metal framework for supporting roof or wall panels that carry the closure device.
 2. The panel fastening device of claim 1, characterized the fact that the baseplate features a displacement lock of the latch towards the opening position.
 3. The panel fastening device of claim 1, characterized by the fact that the latch is set up in a laminar bodywork, longitudinally die-cut and folded, with some gaps towards the inside part to hold the magnet, and by the fact that a folded part which sets up the emerging hook is located at the end of the latch.
 4. The panel fastening device of claim 1, characterized by the fact that the baseplate features some holes in its corners, in order to fasten the device with screws or other means to the panels. 